Opportunities in southeastern North Carolina to honor, celebrate Veterans Day

WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) - Organizations in southeastern North Carolina have announced a wide variety of events to help members of the community honor and celebrate Veterans Day. However, Cape Fear Community College moved two events, and Columbus County canceled an event at the courthouse due to weather concerns.

Wilmington Veterans Day Parade - November 12

The City of Wilmington has announced that the 2022 Veterans Day Parade will take place on Nov. 12. The parade will begin at 11 a.m. at the intersection of 3rd St. and Hanover St. and is scheduled to end at around 12:30 p.m. at the intersection of 3rd St. and Market St.

According to the announcement, post-parade events, including food trucks, musical acts and an art show, will take place at approximately 11:30 a.m. along S 2nd St. between Market and Orange streets and the Hannah Block USO/Community Arts Center.

For more information about the parade, street closures and the post-parade events, please visit the City of Wilmington website.

New Hanover County Veterans Council - November 11

The New Hanover County Veterans Council will be hosting a ceremony at 11 a.m. on November 11 at the American Legion and Gold Star monuments in Long Leaf Park. Mayor of Wilmington Bill Saffo, New Hanover County Vice Chair Deb Hays and NHC Veterans Council Chairman Don Betz will deliver the welcome remarks. Founder/president of Honor flights of the Cape Fear Area Ruth Ravitz Smith will be the guest speaker.

Guests are also invited to lunch at 12:30 p.m. at American Legion Post 10 on 702 Pine Grove Drive.

Cape Fear Community College Veterans Day ceremony and free haircuts - November 10-11

Cape Fear Community College has announced that a Veterans Day ceremony will take place at 11 a.m. on Nov. 11 in Union Station in room 170 due to the potential for inclement weather. Union Station is located at 502 N Front St. in Wilmington.

The ceremony will include remarks from:

• Jason Bocchino, a veteran of the U.S. Navy and veteran services coordinator at CFCC
• CFCC President Jim Morton
• James Nicholas, U.S. Army National Guard and CFCC student
• Jonathan Barfield, New Hanover County commissioner, member of the CFCC Board of Trustees and veteran of the U.S. Navy
• Retired U.S. Navy Captain Wilbur Jones

Following the ceremony, all veterans will be invited to a free lunch in the Bob Philpott Veterans Center, which is located on the first floor of CFCC’s Union Station at 502 N Front St.

Additionally, on Nov. 10 and 14 from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., the CFCC Barber School will offer free haircuts to veterans at 108 Walnut St. in Wilmington.

Hannah Block USO/Community Arts Center events - November 11-12

The Hannah Block Historic USO/Community Arts Center will host four events to celebrate and honor Veterans Day.

On Nov. 11 from 7 to 10 p.m., the “Veterans Day Dance” will be held at the center. According to the announcement, musical offerings will range from “‘40s Big Band sounds, Motown, Beach Music, ‘50s, ‘60s, & ‘70s Rock & Roll, Dixieland, Show Tunes, and Jazz.” The Duke Ladd Band will perform. Tickets to the event are $20, and free concessions will be provided.

On Nov. 12 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., the “Art Can Save a Vet Now Exhibition” will take place. Per the announcement, the free event will feature contributions from local artists and veterans, which will be available for sale and auction. Save A Vet Now seeks to combat suicides among veterans by raising awareness, providing social connections and generating donations to provide services.

From 1 to 1:45 p.m. on Nov. 12, the 208th Army Band will perform. Admission to this event will be free.

Wayne Daniels’ “Contra Band” will perform from 2:30 to 4 p.m. on Nov. 12 at the center. Admission to this event will also be free. The concert “will honor the great bands of the past and feature uniquely American music,” according to the organizers.

Events in Columbus County - November 12

CANCELLED: A Veterans Day ceremony at the Columbus County Courthouse at 11 a.m. on Nov. 11. The event was cancelled due to a 90% chance of rainfall in the area, according to Columbus County.

On Nov. 12, the “Columbus County Veterans Celebration Parade” will begin at 11 a.m. in downtown Whiteville. According to the announcement, the parade will be followed by a wreath-laying ceremony at the downtown Whiteville greenspace. Columbus County Public Transportation will be offering free rides to the event for veterans who do not have other means of transportation. Event organizers ask veterans to call (910) 642-7201 to schedule a ride for this event.

UNCW - November 10-12

The University of North Carolina Wilmington has announced several events for “Veterans Week 2022.” According to a representative at the university’s Office of Military Affairs, the following events are open to all veterans and members of the local community, except the 11:30 a.m. luncheon on Nov. 10.

Beginning at 9 a.m. on Nov. 10, a cadence run and fitness expo will take place outside of Veterans Hall. At 11:30 a.m., veterans who are also UNCW students are invited to an appreciation luncheon at the hall.

UPDATE: A Veterans Day ceremony will be held at 10:45 a.m. on Nov. 11 in the lobby of Veterans Hall. Later that day, at 7 p.m., the UNCW men’s basketball team will play at Trask coliseum. Veterans will be honored before the game begins.

On Nov. 12 in downtown Wilmington, a Veterans Day Parade will be held from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

City of Southport Veterans Day Event - November 11

The City of Southport is hosting a Veterans Day event on November 11th at 2 p.m. at the Ft. Johnston Visitors Center and Museum. co-sponsored by the Southport Police Department and the NC Fourth of July Festival.

The event includes:

• Keynote speaker and retired Colonel Paul Fisher
• Live music
• An indoor reception

In case of inclement weather, the other location will be at the Southport Fire Department.

For more information, you can contact the City of Southport at 910-457-7927.

Boy Scout Flag Retirement Ceremony - November 11

Boy Scout Troop 296 will be hosting a ceremony to retire flags on Nov. 11. The ceremony will take place at 11 a.m. at Northside Church at 2501 N College Road in Wilmington.

Per the announcement, the event will be open to everyone.

New Hanover County Veterans Council 2022 Veterans Day Program

The New Hanover County Veterans Council will host their 2022 Veterans Day Program on Nov. 11 at 11 a.m. The program will be held at the American Legion and Gold Star monuments at Long Leaf Park at 314 Pine Grove Drive in Wilmington.

Per the announcement, the service will include remarks from:

• Lieutenant Colonel Timothy Steele of the United States Air Force Reserve
• Wilmington Mayor Bill Saffo
• Don Betz, Vietnam War veteran and NHCVC chairman
• Deb Hays, vice-chair of the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners
• Ruth Ravitz Smith, president, founder and trip leader of Honor Flight of the Cape Fear Area
• Bobby Rutledge, SAL Squadron Post 10 and American Legion Post 10 commander

Wilmington VA Health Care Center Medal of Honor memorial

The Wilmington Veterans Affairs Health Care Center introduced their Medal of Honor Heroes Display on Nov. 9. The display is dedicated to Edwin Anderson and Eugene Ashley, local service members who received the Medal of Honor.

The center and display are located at 1705 Gardner Drive in Wilmington.

According to the announcement, the Medal of Honor Heroes Display includes memorabilia from the eras in which Anderson and Ashley served: World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War.

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